spcaLA reminds: leave wildlife alone

Are We Really So Selfie-ish?
spcaLA reminds: leave wildlife alone

Los Angeles, CA – Selfies are a fun way to remember a moment, but Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA) would like to remind the public to look and not touch when it comes to wildlife. Handling wildlife, by in large, is illegal, and can be abominably cruel and traumatizing.

Recently it was reported that a rare dolphin died on an Argentinian beach after being removed from the ocean and passed around a crowd for selfies. In another incident, a man in Florida dragged a shark out of the water and pinned it to the beach for pictures. And, in a wildlife park in China, a Peacock died after being roughly handled, having his feathers plucked, and passed around for selfies among park visitors.

Wildlife also carry disease, so handling them can be incredibly risky. Instead, take pictures from afar, so that humans and animals are kept safe.

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Ana Bustilloz at 323-707-1271 cell or by email at abustilloz@spcaLA.com.

spcaLA is an independent, nonprofit animal welfare organization serving Southern California since 1877. There is no national SPCA, parent organization, or umbrella group that provides financial support to spcaLA. Donations run programs and services including Cruelty Investigation, Disaster Animal Response Team, Humane Education, and a variety of shelter services.
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